Hokke-ji

Hokke-ji (法華寺, Hokke-ji), is a Buddhist temple in the city of Nara, Japan.

For other temples of the same name, see Hokke-ji (disambiguation).

Hokke-ji
The entrance
Religion
Affiliation	Kōmyō
Deity	Juichimen Kannon (Avalokiteśvara)
Location
Location	882 Hokkeji-chō, Nara-shi, Nara-ken
Country	Japan
Architecture
Founder	Empress Kōmyō
Completed	745
Website
www.hokkeji-nara.jp

Hokke-ji was built by Empress Kōmyō in 745, originally as a nunnery temple on the grounds where her father Fujiwara no Fuhito's mansion stood. According to records kept by the temple, the initial construction went on until around 782. It once had a large complex with several halls, gates, and two pagodas.

Hokke-ji was heavily damaged in the fierce Siege of Nara in 1180. The complex was restored in the 12th and 13th centuries, but was again affected by civil conflicts during the Sengoku period.

The bell tower

The current main hall, bell tower and the south gate are reconstructions of the 16th century, sponsored by Toyotomi Hideyori and his mother, Lady Yodo.

The temple's main worship statue is the wooden 11-faced Kannon, a National Treasure. The temple houses an ancient bath building, originally built by Empress Kōmyō, which she opened to the public.

Further reading

• Lori Meeks, Hokkeji and the Reemergence of Female Monastic Orders in Premodern Japan (2010) excerpt and text search

External links

• Hokke-ji homepage (in Japanese)

See also

• For an explanation of terms concerning Japanese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhist art, and Japanese Buddhist temple architecture, see the Glossary of Japanese Buddhism.
• List of National Treasures of Japan (paintings)
• List of National Treasures of Japan (sculptures)